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Posted by: Stacey

Hit Series Sold to NBC Local Media, Hearst Television And Other Leading Broadcast Groups In Nation's Top Markets For Fall 2010 Debut

New York, NY- October 12, 2009 - NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has sold "The Real Housewives" franchise to stations from NBC Local Media, Hearst Television and other leading broadcast groups in the nation's top markets for the series' Monday through Friday off-network syndication debut, it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

Bravo's breakout hit series, which gives viewers an up-close and personal look inside the lives of real women, is set to launch on local broadcast stations in fall 2010.

The series has already been sold in more than 60% of the country on local broadcast stations owned by NBC Local Media and Hearst Television, as well as other leading station groups including CBS, LIN, Local TV, Media General, Post-Newsweek, Raycom and Sinclair.

"The Real Housewives" has been sold to all 10 of the NBC Local Media broadcast stations; New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Miami, San Diego and Hartford. The series has also been sold to Hearst Television stations including Tampa, Orlando, Sacramento, Kansas City, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Louisville, New Orleans and West Palm Beach.

"'The Real Housewives' franchise has all of the characteristics of a daytime hit "strong characters, terrific story-telling and escapism," says NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution's Wallach. "The series has truly become a national phenomenon, gaining in popularity each season and scoring huge local ratings on Bravo."

"'The Real Housewives' is a very successful franchise, especially popular with women," says NBC Local Media President John Wallace. "And by coming to broadcast television stations in daytime, this series will appeal to a new audience that is looking for something that stands out from the pack."

Since its spring 2006 debut, "The Real Housewives of Orange County" has grown 189% in Women 18-49 and this summer "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" was #1 in its Thursday 10-11 p.m. time period against all cable programs in Adults and Women 18-49. "The Real Housewives of Atlanta is currently averaging 1.565 million Women 18-49 per telecast, according to Nielsen Media Research data.